等到我們參加完幾場拍賣會,哈爾跟喬納森都買下不少東西之後離開,我自己回到森林裡面的家之後,就收到曼拉希爾的貴族試圖在崁拉姆村動粗的消息。503Please respect copyright.PENANAYMb31reKE4
503Please respect copyright.PENANAaxgos1tOBw
跟豔陽城的貴族比起來,曼拉希爾的貴族動作其實很快啊?503Please respect copyright.PENANA94V2vWP3cy
503Please respect copyright.PENANAHT02N843lk
在離開那邊之前,為了讓托爾能夠做好自己身為村長的工作,我也交給他三隻魔像做幫忙用,那三隻魔像還是特別加有攻擊與防禦能力的魔像,足夠應付大範圍魔法攻擊。503Please respect copyright.PENANAPo2XYkxIcB
503Please respect copyright.PENANAZ1yhJCWz23
這一次回到家,我連孩子們都沒見到,就收到自律魔像的通知,不知道是村長不想讓我知道,還是他已經嚇壞了所以忘記要通知我,這個還得好好調查。503Please respect copyright.PENANAu1zq5J09N3
503Please respect copyright.PENANAdYLDpGkCt5
既然貴族已經出手了,那我就不能把這件事放在一邊,直接把自己傳送回房間裡,中間沒有遇上阿曼達和孩子們,這才接著使用魔法與魔像聯繫。503Please respect copyright.PENANAdYYvvxDUwt
503Please respect copyright.PENANAsgbQb67uBi
『把貴族的攻擊原因從頭到尾對我說明。』503Please respect copyright.PENANAAf5RUowopG
503Please respect copyright.PENANAS2CTFkaOvm
坐在房間的椅子上,我放鬆自己聽取魔像的報告。503Please respect copyright.PENANAOqx5PL4sLv
503Please respect copyright.PENANAOZkFjKLeAc
事情的發生非常簡單,男爵的手下來到村子裡想要繼續討論村子的開發,卻沒想到馬拉其已經失去地位,無法再做出任何主張。503Please respect copyright.PENANAa7uvBRNqI5
503Please respect copyright.PENANAkZhht0RkOP
不過那些人並不把這種小事當成一回事,畢竟馬拉其這個人對貴族而言根本可有可無,他們只要把新的掌權者找到,就可以繼續原先的建設。503Please respect copyright.PENANAfglj5EERGU
503Please respect copyright.PENANAzwQgWRsduu
結果他們面對的是托爾堅定的拒絕,貴族家的人不只貴族本身高傲,就連他們的手下也非常高傲,區區一個小村長居然敢拒絕他,死硬脾氣一下子就上來了,叫來打手馬上就出手攻擊。503Please respect copyright.PENANAAi7XOa4xnt
503Please respect copyright.PENANAQHsO7iTn1j
居然連忍耐到讓托爾把徽章亮出來的耐性都沒有,曼拉希爾的貴族們,脾氣很差啊。503Please respect copyright.PENANA8CgFbcUV1x
503Please respect copyright.PENANAL6FkS2w0HG
然後他們的打手攻擊了幾次,發現完全無法傷害托爾,還氣急敗壞地命令打手法師施法,想要把村長家整棟給毀了,直到自律魔像出手阻止之後,才真正知道要害怕。503Please respect copyright.PENANA3TafnKQgdO
503Please respect copyright.PENANAwNnYJE0O20
……不是我要說,欸、你們這些貴族手下,是不是真的有一點蠢啊?503Please respect copyright.PENANAPmP6yje0AU
503Please respect copyright.PENANAcNdHem9AFP
平時完全不敢反抗你們的平民突然義正嚴詞地拒絕你們的要求,難道就不會覺得奇怪嗎?503Please respect copyright.PENANAMjBdla22rs
503Please respect copyright.PENANAxH7DdftLc0
就算覺得火氣很大好了,攻擊幾次之後發現完全不管用,就不會感覺到不對勁嗎?503Please respect copyright.PENANAmSQLhw68sc
503Please respect copyright.PENANAoWouTG48GH
居然還氣急敗壞到命令法師使用範圍魔法攻擊,要是我還留在那個地方,你們就真的吃屎了知不知道啊?503Please respect copyright.PENANAdLitS535OD
503Please respect copyright.PENANAWqr0g4zpi0
最後竟然還是被魔像制伏之後,托爾才有機會亮出我給他的徽章,這些貴族的手下才知道麻煩大了,然後開始請求托爾希望與我會面,打算向我賠罪,我猜應該還有想和我打好關係的意圖吧。503Please respect copyright.PENANA2OPvq0uHIV
503Please respect copyright.PENANAyDXjShvk8B
好吧,也許現在我還不需要自作主張,等到托爾聯繫我的時候,他會把整件事處理透徹之後才向我報告,那麼就不用急了。503Please respect copyright.PENANAicZsyJaDN4
503Please respect copyright.PENANAUO3SsF7eD7
我吩咐魔像繼續觀察托爾的所作所為,並且要求它不用打草驚蛇,便結束了這一次的聯繫。503Please respect copyright.PENANADERTzh7iol
503Please respect copyright.PENANAH0ZyBIAFIB
接著,我前往阿曼達的房門前,輕敲那面門板。503Please respect copyright.PENANAF8gSREaFxc
503Please respect copyright.PENANAWv9B9tV77m
「阿曼達,是我,你現在方便嗎?」503Please respect copyright.PENANAaFJYEHGlWN
503Please respect copyright.PENANAe0QAsG7R3c
這麼問完之後,她的房門便迅速被安置在她房間的魔像打開,讓我愣了一下。503Please respect copyright.PENANAHajzp8DAbI
503Please respect copyright.PENANAg142CtZNHH
「請進吧。」
在裡頭的阿曼達這麼說道。503Please respect copyright.PENANAblD2AU7JfU
503Please respect copyright.PENANAE0WbsVxoHr
看著正坐在梳妝臺前面的孕婦,感覺已經把這裡完全當自己的家了,真是適應力良好啊。503Please respect copyright.PENANA7feya8IoAd
503Please respect copyright.PENANASlFXNIY1bP
「看來我就不用問你在這裡住得怎麼樣了?」503Please respect copyright.PENANAvqDkUoeVSV
503Please respect copyright.PENANAkKmak83EAD
走進房間,我看見她從圖書館裡面帶了不少書來房間,大部分都是和藥草有關,雖然說應該是理所當然,不過我比較好奇,那些書裡面有多少是她能夠理解的知識。503Please respect copyright.PENANAGG30b24xPe
503Please respect copyright.PENANABzrS3kTJCG
「嗯……如果你想要表達對我的關心,那麼還是問一下比較好。」503Please respect copyright.PENANAEEtPMqOdS1
503Please respect copyright.PENANAtIKgP7kaSt
轉頭看向對我說話的她,我這才發現梳妝臺上還有一本比較基礎的草藥介紹,果然啊,書籍裡面的說明不從最基礎的地方看,是沒辦法理解的。503Please respect copyright.PENANAuDpVdDQh3m
503Please respect copyright.PENANAXN9yRVr65m
「不如我這樣問好了,外頭庭院的溫室不全是種草藥的,但如果你有需要,地下室還有另一間專門種草藥的溫室,明天想去看看嗎?」503Please respect copyright.PENANA5gwrajc3by
503Please respect copyright.PENANAHnZSSxMIbe
孕婦原本愜意的神情變了,她一下子從悠閒的婦人變成一個對知識充滿欲求的藥草師,那對紫紅色的雙眼熠熠生輝,看得我心生膽怯,那光芒太強烈了,我承受不起。503Please respect copyright.PENANAAtPXTyBQsC
503Please respect copyright.PENANAbXBoMa38wl
「你會帶我去看嗎?」
突然聽到阿曼達的聲音讓我愣了一下,這才想起她話中的意思。503Please respect copyright.PENANAnXyGcb0yca
503Please respect copyright.PENANAc4zctuxhU7
「我,沒辦法,這幾天有重要的事情得做,讓魔像跟著你,有什麼想學的……」503Please respect copyright.PENANAMiMmjcusdp
503Please respect copyright.PENANAkD4PXoTetX
「你要做什麼事?」503Please respect copyright.PENANAAOmk4kpG3J
503Please respect copyright.PENANATlsAAYAxqM
咦?503Please respect copyright.PENANAYIgdNrziEX
503Please respect copyright.PENANATHmTDjXEP2
阿曼達突然的問題又讓我愣了一下,看到我疑惑的表情,這個孕婦的神情又改變了,似乎她已經知道我心底藏著什麼,感覺她隨時都能夠洞察到我周遭發生了什麼事一樣。503Please respect copyright.PENANA3iqPowjZ5V
503Please respect copyright.PENANA1NmEAW4r4x
「你要做的事情,和貴族有關嗎?」503Please respect copyright.PENANASwZEjEtsnD
503Please respect copyright.PENANAZJgpIhJcE7
為什麼要突然這樣問……啊啊……她想要分攤我的事物嗎?雖然有人可以幫忙我是真的很感謝你……但是,這種事很危險的說,我都不敢讓孩子們接觸太多了,阿曼達就還是不要了吧……503Please respect copyright.PENANACRPUpL7lw7
503Please respect copyright.PENANAu7U2GHAty5
不過我隱約覺得,她應該不是那種我拒絕了,就會乾脆罷手的人。503Please respect copyright.PENANACvXMgftIoK
503Please respect copyright.PENANA2OIJLrwd7c
我走到她面前,隨手用魔法做了張椅子坐下。
「在你第一次遇見我的時候,你知道我們去了哪裡嗎?」503Please respect copyright.PENANAbeNqPG3UrP
503Please respect copyright.PENANAFRH1Eaysa4
「荒無枯地,在那之前,你四處打聽有關神獸納紗羅的事情,我猜,神獸就在荒無枯地裡,而且受到什麼阻礙,所以你必需幫忙祂。」503Please respect copyright.PENANAggwcDWRYsW
503Please respect copyright.PENANABVS8fYprh0
差不多猜對六成,阿曼達這個人,每次都可以刷新我對她的認知。503Please respect copyright.PENANAd4GABMSVoB
503Please respect copyright.PENANAtf3ktOne66
「最主要的原因,是因為邪神。」
對她,我不認為隱瞞了邪神這件事就能夠保護她,安全起見,還是必須和她好好說明。503Please respect copyright.PENANAln5QFwMKqK
503Please respect copyright.PENANAfHXFRcJxEw
阿曼達一聽到邪神這兩個字,便立刻明白事情的嚴重性。503Please respect copyright.PENANAXRGQIxAiaS
503Please respect copyright.PENANATwCLVBMVMy
「這種事情,只要一個處理不好,會危急到的人恐怕不是只有失去生命這麼簡單,你好不容易才有了安穩的生活,我希望你可以就這樣平穩的過下去,別和我這裡的事扯上關係。」503Please respect copyright.PENANAto1bn0JUjl
503Please respect copyright.PENANA5iXIoRPMxH
我開口勸阻她,但是阿曼達卻只是微微搖頭,接著笑了起來。503Please respect copyright.PENANA5pTTH1n8zp
503Please respect copyright.PENANAD8bpfNRvFE
「我認為我們之間的想法差距不會太遠,艾利法,我當然想要平穩的生活下去,但是只要你有任何不測,我現在擁有的全部都將化為烏有,若只是貴族的人,也許我還不會那麼擔心,但你現在說的可是邪神,祂或許是這個世界上唯一有能力傷害到你的生物,沒錯吧?」503Please respect copyright.PENANAeYgsJaLeZu
503Please respect copyright.PENANAX0tVNRg5iX
這倒是一點也沒錯,她的擔憂也是合情合理。503Please respect copyright.PENANAD0TG8umUJz
503Please respect copyright.PENANA6ApcFyHa8c
「邪神沒有能力直接影響現世的生靈。」
我試著對她解釋,邪神雖然可怕,但是也沒有可怕到需要隨時擔心的地步。503Please respect copyright.PENANANncMKWMo6a
503Please respect copyright.PENANA8lknUtTN1U
「但是祂的信徒可以。」503Please respect copyright.PENANAbhQ5gBs9YS
503Please respect copyright.PENANAOrHxjVRIIq
被她毫不猶豫地反駁了,這讓我有點意外,阿曼達對於神的事情相當瞭解啊?503Please respect copyright.PENANAGYMQeIb4de
503Please respect copyright.PENANA31CvUva6GD
大概是我的表情表現的很明顯,讓阿曼達看出我在思考什麼,她淡淡地嘆口氣,看著我再度開口。503Please respect copyright.PENANAMfKaJP6tuG
503Please respect copyright.PENANApA2oAvO9pN
「當你的人生糟糕到不能再糟的時候,轉而向神求助是很正常的事情。」
阿曼達沉默了一會,似乎想強迫自己說出什麼深藏在心底的話,看起來欲言又止的、不對,她的生理上想抗拒自己把話說出來,但心理上卻極力地想開口。503Please respect copyright.PENANAIIfzbmnFRg
503Please respect copyright.PENANAwO60Z9tx8u
「阿曼達……」503Please respect copyright.PENANATdWdPgyIef
503Please respect copyright.PENANA95Gqa1yKXY
「我曾經差那麼一點,成為邪神的信徒。」503Please respect copyright.PENANAABA4aXwJ1g
503Please respect copyright.PENANA6mNOTvlfnE
本來還想告訴她不需要這麼逼迫自己,結果一聽到她這麼說之後,我頓時愣住,望著眼前的婦女,一下子說不出話來。503Please respect copyright.PENANAjsRAKxMly6
503Please respect copyright.PENANAocsVLrSeAe
她露出苦笑,彷彿早料到我會這麼震驚。
「我其實並沒有立刻接受這個孩子,你知道嗎?」503Please respect copyright.PENANARgCVeDjMU1
503Please respect copyright.PENANAbOGGeEwOwm
輕撫著自己凸起的肚子,阿曼達的笑容裡充滿哀傷,讓我感覺胸口受到強烈的傷害,一股難以言喻的刺痛襲擊著我的心臟。503Please respect copyright.PENANATe3l16pfOo
503Please respect copyright.PENANAwAGbodmeng
我一直認為阿曼達是堅強的,結果這個自以為是的認為,讓我忽略了阿曼達這個人,其實一直都只是位傷痕纍纍的普通人類。503Please respect copyright.PENANASnbylW8EQs
503Please respect copyright.PENANAtRF7EI04mi
我不知道她為什麼要突然對我說這些,實際上,我好想制止她,不想要再聽她說下去,但是……這是她的告解,如果現在不說出來,以後也許就再也沒有機會說出口,那麼這個心傷,就永遠沒有癒合的可能了。503Please respect copyright.PENANACknaIEenDz
503Please respect copyright.PENANA5LvZ6uVG49
「當我驚覺自己懷孕的時候,我的第一個想法,是趕緊回家吃藥,讓這個孩子永遠離開我。」503Please respect copyright.PENANA1gUxZC4C4g
503Please respect copyright.PENANAWBaxkWQUnC
阿曼達的眼眶泛紅,我大概能夠明白那是她對孩子的歉意,不論現在她是否深愛這個未出世的孩子,阿曼達恐怕都無法原諒自己曾經有痛下殺手的想法,我能感受到她心中的罪惡感,但是我一個字都說不出口。503Please respect copyright.PENANAMUVNJd7zq2
503Please respect copyright.PENANAUHoEQgDgT8
她再度開口,但是沒有發出聲音,我握住她的右手,使阿曼達愣了一下,疑惑地望著我。503Please respect copyright.PENANAaf8T4hQV7r
503Please respect copyright.PENANAGSodQGIZOW
我沒辦法安慰她,我不知道該怎麼安慰她,實際上……她需要的可能也不是安慰,所以我不說話,只是收緊右手,用這股堅定的力量告訴她,我絕對不會因為她過去做了什麼而拋棄她。503Please respect copyright.PENANA1UfCZUNQ22
503Please respect copyright.PENANA0d3wdBmyyQ
「……我在自由的情況下跑回家裡,把藥草調好,想也沒想就直接吃下,然後祈禱這個孩子可以永遠離開。」
她沉默了幾分鐘之後繼續說下去,我感受到她的右手開始收緊,帶著些微顫抖地回握我的手。503Please respect copyright.PENANAnS4KFmKiUj
503Please respect copyright.PENANAc6B1qObVRu
「大概是因為慌張的關係,我沒有等待到藥草效果真正發揮的時間,一連調製了好幾份藥方,然後全部吃下。」503Please respect copyright.PENANAbz8j6BZ3Fc
503Please respect copyright.PENANAdOaYQZSydJ
這份告解需要非常強大的勇氣才能說出口,阿曼達應該很清楚,其實那時候的她幾乎已經是想死的程度了,那很痛、光只是聽著她述說的我都感覺痛不欲生,要重新回想那時的自己,對阿曼達而言更是一次又一次扒開結痂的傷口,還在上面灑鹽的程度。503Please respect copyright.PENANAajEbJDPOd5
503Please respect copyright.PENANAHpRsZezusr
「然後,爸爸正好回到家,看到不停吃藥的我。」503Please respect copyright.PENANAp89zxthAXM
503Please respect copyright.PENANA5jT4XOgE3a
我的天,難怪她會這麼痛苦,如果康拉德沒有出現,恐怕阿曼達不會意識到自己究竟做了什麼。503Please respect copyright.PENANA8HYa25X3Qi
503Please respect copyright.PENANAsQaFpVjs4Q
我努力穩住自己的呼吸,盡可能不讓自己的情緒表現出來,不然,我可能會哭得比她嚴重。503Please respect copyright.PENANAiwrdQBaepb
503Please respect copyright.PENANAw1hYXp0IdF
「他費盡力氣強迫我把吃下的藥草全部吐出來,我哭著告訴他,我不要這個孩子,我就算是死了,也不要生下這個污穢的孩子。」503Please respect copyright.PENANAmm2XBDgIFC
503Please respect copyright.PENANAmMMLCqaxqT
阿曼達停頓下來,做了幾次深呼吸,接著正眼看著我。503Please respect copyright.PENANAHiwFpBZox5
503Please respect copyright.PENANALmXre1swrG
「雖然爸爸那時候對我說了很多,但是我一個字也聽不進去,我只覺得整個世界都聯合起來嘲笑我,我只不過是個毫無用處的人類,生來就只是為了娛樂那些站在上位的貴族們。」503Please respect copyright.PENANADFp8X2u9DA
503Please respect copyright.PENANA9EsK8J34M3
說到這裡,阿曼達的情緒漸漸穩定,看來最讓她痛苦的過程已經結束,接下來就是重點了。503Please respect copyright.PENANAr9Gcg6o8el
503Please respect copyright.PENANAPYyYry55yJ
「然後那天晚上,邪神便侵入我的睡夢中。」503Please respect copyright.PENANA9Yqia7PPoI
503Please respect copyright.PENANA9QRslSVZh4
……原來如此。503Please respect copyright.PENANAGrYkcqMme7
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利用人類心靈最脆弱的時候給予一點希望,人類會很輕易地抓住那根救命稻草,難怪就算被克拉提姆懲罰,這些邪神也不會因為失去信仰者而消失。503Please respect copyright.PENANAbN89DHxhqi
503Please respect copyright.PENANA8uIUHP65vs
「祂說,祂感受到我的絕望、祂體會到我的憎恨,祂願意給予我力量,對那些始作俑者復仇。」503Please respect copyright.PENANAUDBi450qyr
503Please respect copyright.PENANAn0GcH4wfZq
「你怎麼有辦法拒絕祂?」503Please respect copyright.PENANA3BcfuHZuDY
503Please respect copyright.PENANAXiovkG1w98
一個不小心,我忍不住這樣問她,阿曼達沒有因為我的問題而愣住,只是微微笑著。503Please respect copyright.PENANALhvrkyfVRq
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「我是崁拉姆村的藥草師,我熟知藥草被邪神之術侵蝕之後會出現什麼症狀,整個崁拉姆村裡,只有我們藥草師一家知道荒無枯地的現象必定是邪神造成的,沒有人會比我們還要害怕邪神的入侵,我不可能會任由自己成為邪神信徒的。」503Please respect copyright.PENANAa2rGBXl85H
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「但是,祂的條件很誘人喔?」503Please respect copyright.PENANAx8xIb9Id3N
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信念再強,在歷經痛不欲生的事件後,也會輕易地瓦解成碎片,我不認為這個時候對我宣稱她的信念強悍會有什麼說服力。503Please respect copyright.PENANAF3i3tABX3t
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「……確實,所以我也是『差一點』淪陷。」503Please respect copyright.PENANALkoJ3mq313
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把卡在心底的痛苦說出來之後,阿曼達感覺輕鬆了許多,她的右手已經沒了力道,我也沒有繼續感受到她的痛苦。503Please respect copyright.PENANA4pI90ohudi
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「但是我想到吉兒和爸爸,我不能就這樣丟下他們。這個孩子……他什麼都不知道,我怎麼能把過錯全部推到他身上?」503Please respect copyright.PENANAFHwGC2h5m2
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先不提阿曼達是不是一個母親,我深深感覺到,她在身為母親之前,就已經是一個偉大的人,真的很不容易。503Please respect copyright.PENANAjyjuR1HTWs
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「所以我拒絕了邪神,不論我的身體受到什麼樣的對待,不論這個孩子的父親究竟是誰,我都不會向邪神屈服,絕對不會。」503Please respect copyright.PENANABYHhJOg04S
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她望著我,紫紅色的雙眼中,閃爍著強大到難以忽視的堅定。503Please respect copyright.PENANA1TRglmFqhs
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「現在我自由了,所有我在乎的人都受到你的保護,我很感謝你的幫忙,讓我能夠真正放下一切擔憂,但是我也知道,你的麻煩遠遠不只有崁拉姆村這裡,我得到過、也失去過,我知道這些平靜不可能是永恆的,所以我會盡全力守住這個得來不易的安寧。」503Please respect copyright.PENANAERxB4XyQrR
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好吧。503Please respect copyright.PENANA1ic6TVdZ7V
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我嘆口氣。503Please respect copyright.PENANA0oX9fx1J45
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阿曼達的意思再明確不過,她不會只是乖乖地在這裡享受平靜的生活,如果這份平靜有所代價,她會毫不猶豫地付出代價。503Please respect copyright.PENANAJd6ifK9UTt
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「我明白了。」503Please respect copyright.PENANA508RQkmHEv
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看著她,我決定把身上的壓力分擔給她。503Please respect copyright.PENANAErtHowt3ci
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